Exploring the Impact of Cognitive Preferences on Student Receptivity to Design Thinking

Abstract

Jessica Menold is a second year graduate student interested in entrepreneurship, the design process, and innovativeness of engineering graduates and professionals. She is currently working as a student mentor in the Lion Launch Pad program, where she works to support student entrepreneurs. Jessica is currently conducting her graduate research with Dr. Kathryn Jablokow on a project devoted to the development of a psychometric instrument that will measure the skills, behaviors, and traits of an innovative engineer. Her hope is that this awareness of individual innovativeness levels will enhance engineering professionals and student's innovative skillsets. Jessica is also interested in studying and teaching design thinking methods to students, and is currently working to spread design thinking through mini-workshops across Penn State.

Board # 107 :Using Design Thinking Principles to Develop New Community-centered Engineering Educational Initiatives for High School Students

“…The questions were intended to gauge the student's satisfaction with the experience. A more appropriate assessment program modeled after the state of the art is planned for future offerings 3 4.25 I now believe that Design Thinking is an important and beneficial skill for a high school student.…”